Planning approval has been granted to Apple for a new data centre on a 500 acre site at Derrydonnell near Athenry, Co Galway. The new facility is expected to become operational by 2017 and when complete will run exclusively on renewable energy. Once operational, it is expected that the facility will employ up to 150 people.

Apple is investing €850 million developing the new data centre which will support its online services such as iTunes and Maps. As part of the selection process Apple inspected some 25 sites across Galway before deciding on the Athenry location. The main reasons given for choosing the site were the “uniquely attractive” lands, road quality and the scale of the site which is expected to be more than adequate to cope with Apple’s 15 year plan to build another data centre in the same location.

A number of global tech companies are either in the process of establishing data centres in Ireland or are significantly expanding existing operations in an overall investment valued at almost €3.7 billion. Alongside companies like companies Facebook, Google, Microsoft, IBM, eBay, Vodafone an Yahoo! some less well known names including BT, Eir, EMC and Equinix have data centre operations here.

Ireland has become popular with companies wishing to set up data centre facilities in Europe due to the country’s energy and communications infrastructure, low corporate tax rate and a temperate climate which helps to reduce running costs.

Callaghan Engineering, one of Ireland’s leading consulting engineering & project management firms, is currently involved in multiple Data Centre projects for multinational clients.

Callaghan Engineering can now offer the service of BREEAM Assessment following the recent qualification of Declan Hughes, Director of Projects & Mechanical Engineering, as an assessor under the BREEAM International New Construction scheme. Declan has over 25 years of experience in engineering design, construction, manufacturing, procurement and sustainability activities.

BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for masterplanning projects, infrastructure and buildings. BREEAM New Construction evaluates the design, construction, intended use and future-proofing of developments and includes the local, natural and man made environment surrounding the building.

Bausch & Lomb Waterford, being a 24/7 manufacturing facility, chose to install a CHP (Combined Heat & Power) system to reduce energy cost. The facility has steady and substantial electrical and thermal loads (both as steam and LPHW), so they were ideal candidates to benefit from a CHP installation.

The chosen vendor was Edina Power Ltd, and combined with Winthrop Engineering, the facility was installed and commissioned over the past 12 months. The CHP itself is an MWM TCG 2032 V12 gas engine, generating 3.3 MW of electrical power as well as plant steam and hot water. The CHP and steam boiler as well as switchgear and controls were installed within a bespoke building on site. The engine room is soundproofed and has viewing panels that allow visitors to see the engine without entering the room itself.

The engine can be monitored on the site BMS system and is configured so that the maximum energy is harnessed and used effectively in the plant.

Callaghan Engineering were engaged by Bausch and Lomb at an early stage to review and optimise the solutions proposed by Edina, as well as to advise on the best site / system integration options. Our input was incorporated into the final design. The plant is on-line since May 2016 and is providing substantial energy savings for the Waterford plant.

Callaghan Engineering was appointed as MEP designers for the S120 data hall by Digital Realty, a data centre services provider. The hall was the second data hall in DUB 13, a purpose built datacentre in Profile Park, Co. Dublin. Callaghan Engineering provided the full Mechanical and Electrical design, site assistance, commissioning and IST attendance for the project. The hall was handed over to the client on time and within budget.

Callaghan Engineering have subsequently been appointed as the MEP designer for DUB 14. This project includes the Mechanical and Electrical design for the infrastructure, shell and core plus the fit out of the two 3MW data halls from concept design through to IST and handover. This project is currently underway.

CE are involved in the design of the following systems:

MV and LV power distribution

Main and sub -distribution boards and panels

UPS and Generator backup

Lighting, small power, fire alarm, security and access control systems

Callaghan Engineering has today unveiled our refreshed web site. Designed with the direct input of our engineering team, the new site is intended to bring you the information you need in the format you need it.

We looked carefully at the usage patterns of the previous site and combined with information gathered from our own market research we’ve focused on surfacing the key information and presenting it in a single page format with drill down links for more in-depth content.

The new site utilises a fully responsive design and will adapt to provide the best possible user experience on whatever device you use to access it. We will of course continue to develop and adapt our online presence to best meet the needs of our clients, current and potential. We hope you find the web site useful and we welcome your feedback.

We are a well established & reputable company, with a proven track record in delivering projects of excellent quality, within budget and on time. Our experienced, highly motivated & professional team will see each project through to completion.